MichaelMc
Working toward Cenotes
The Navy goes to great expense to train SEALs, they do NOT discard candidates casually. If this is an issue, and it appears it is, they will likely work with him one on one, including getting the extensive diving medical staff involved.
If he has temporary issues it would be a 'medical roll' to the next class as the first step. Not a drop. If investigation shows it is insurmountable, he would need a different career. But from your description, this is just the first sign of an issue. This is from some years ago, but I can not imagine the philosophy changing that much.
Rupturing his eardrums would be very debilitating and could permanently disqualify him. Do not have him push it or deny ear pain. The Navy and his instructors would be VERY mad at him for that. There are conditions where combat divers might do that deliberately, or knowingly, but doing it as a dumb-ass not tell anyone candidate is not a good option.
'Fred' panics 'easily' is a clear dis-qual, sort of medical as in psychological but not medical as in physical. 'Brad' has ear issues is well understood and can be investigated. Brad may well be a great operator, they would not want to throw him aside for something easy to diagnose if it can be understood and resolved.
It is odd that pre-BUDS medical clearance did not uncover this. They used to require a chamber pressure and oxygen tolerance test before assignment there.
If he has temporary issues it would be a 'medical roll' to the next class as the first step. Not a drop. If investigation shows it is insurmountable, he would need a different career. But from your description, this is just the first sign of an issue. This is from some years ago, but I can not imagine the philosophy changing that much.
Rupturing his eardrums would be very debilitating and could permanently disqualify him. Do not have him push it or deny ear pain. The Navy and his instructors would be VERY mad at him for that. There are conditions where combat divers might do that deliberately, or knowingly, but doing it as a dumb-ass not tell anyone candidate is not a good option.
'Fred' panics 'easily' is a clear dis-qual, sort of medical as in psychological but not medical as in physical. 'Brad' has ear issues is well understood and can be investigated. Brad may well be a great operator, they would not want to throw him aside for something easy to diagnose if it can be understood and resolved.
It is odd that pre-BUDS medical clearance did not uncover this. They used to require a chamber pressure and oxygen tolerance test before assignment there.